Chapter 177

When I turned, the face I had only seen in my dreams was before me.

I raised my hands and cupped Shinwoo’s face. A wave of heat rushed through me at the long-missed sensation.

“Why are you so cold? Are you sick?”

“No.”

Shinwoo closed his eyes gently and rubbed his cheek against my hand like a young animal. He then buried his nose in my wrist and took a deep breath.

“Your scent…”

He brought his lips to where he could feel my pulse, slowly opened his eyes, and whispered.

“I missed you. I missed you so much it hurt.”

“And yet you never once stopped by the house… You even told me not to come when I said I would.”

“I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to leave if I saw your face.”

“…You’re not hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.”

“Have you been eating well?”

“Yeah.”

“Is anyone giving you trouble?”

“Who would dare give me trouble?”

Shinwoo’s red lips curled up slightly. He gazed at me with his deep eyes.

“You, on the other hand… you’ve lost some weight.”

“Have I…?”

“Didn’t you sleep well? You look tired.”

“A little. I was busy packing.”

Shinwoo gently caressed the corner of my eye.

In the time we were apart, Shinwoo seemed to have changed somehow. He was as beautiful as ever, but there was an inexplicable, alien aura about him.

Was it because his face was paler? His voice deeper? Or was it the way he looked at me, his eyes simmering with a feverish heat?

I didn’t know why Shinwoo felt so unfamiliar.

Ignoring the frantic beating of my heart, I studied Shinwoo and noticed something surprising. My gaze had to travel higher than before to meet his.

“Did you get taller?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow…”

No wonder his physique seemed even better. As I marveled, Shinwoo grabbed my hand.

“Come back with me.”

Only then did I remember where I was. Conscious of our surroundings, I lowered my voice.

“You know I can’t do that. It won’t take long. You haven’t forgotten the passcode for the door, have you? It’s the same, so go home and wait for me. Don’t go anywhere.”

“What if you don’t come back?”

Shinwoo’s dark pupils trembled with fear. I squeezed his hand tightly.

“That won’t happen. I’ll come back to you, no matter what it takes. I promise.”

“I can’t trust that. If you really have to go, then take me with you.”

“I’m not the party leader, how can I take you? Go back.”

“No.”

“Ye Shinwoo, are you really going to be this stubborn?”

My voice rose without me realizing it. I was so anxious that Shinwoo might actually follow me that I had no mind to calmly coax him.

Just then, Cha Dohwan cut in.

“Mr. Ye Shinwoo, why don’t you join us? The more party members, the merrier, right?”

Stunned, I looked at Cha Dohwan’s face, and suddenly remembered the conversation we had outside the dungeon.

“Still, I found Mr. Ye Shinwoo to be a nuisance. His feelings might not be the same as yours, Ms. Saan. That’s why I separated him from you. You’re too soft-hearted to do something like that, Ms. Saan.”

Inside a dungeon, you have to be wary not only of monsters but also of your comrades. A teammate you fought alongside just yesterday could suddenly go mad and attack you.

There’s no better place than a dungeon to eliminate someone you find bothersome. It’s a place where you won’t be held accountable for killing someone, whether you pretend to be crazy or claim it was a mistake.

‘But Cha Dohwan doesn’t like me enough to kill someone over it.’

Cha Dohwan’s feelings weren’t that serious. They were the kind that could disappear or change overnight.

The idea of him trying to kill Shinwoo to have me was absurd. I must have been overthinking it.

“Mr. Cha Dohwan, is it really okay to let someone who isn’t even ranked join the party?”

“Isn’t Mr. Ye Shinwoo the only partner Hunter Ryu has ever had? If that’s the case, what more verification is needed?”

“…Won’t the other party members have a different opinion?”

“Shall we ask them now? Does anyone object?”

Far from objecting to Shinwoo joining, the party members seemed to subtly welcome it.

This was because Shinwoo’s skills had become somewhat known while he was clearing gates with me.

“It seems everyone is in favor. Mr. Ye Shinwoo, welcome to the party.”

In the blink of an eye, Shinwoo’s inclusion in the party was a done deal.

Who do these people think they are, dragging my boy into a dangerous place? Ah, damn it. Should I just take Shinwoo and go back now…?

“I’ll protect you.”

How sweet those words were—that he would protect me. My swelling dissatisfaction instantly deflated.

‘Right, it might be nice to clear a dungeon together after so long.’

Come to think of it, it probably wouldn’t be that dangerous. I could just protect him. And if things went south, we could always give up on the clear.

Cha Dohwan continued.

“By the way, Hunter Ryu. Please refrain from making such dismissive remarks when the person in question is standing right here. ‘Someone who isn’t even ranked.’ How embarrassing must that have been for Mr. Ye Shinwoo?”

“Ah…”

That wasn’t my intention. I only said it because I was in a rush, but did it hurt his feelings?

When I looked up worriedly, Shinwoo met my gaze.

“It’s okay.”

“I wasn’t looking down on you. I’ve never even thought of doing that.”

“I know.”

Shinwoo affectionately stroked my hair. As carefully as if it were fragile glass.

Heat rushed to my face, and my breath hitched. My head kept dipping down. Absurdly, I felt shy under Shinwoo’s gaze.

I had only just admitted my feelings for Shinwoo, but it was already difficult to act like I used to. I was acutely aware of the strong physique of the man who had completely captured me.

‘What do I do…’

How ridiculous must my face look right now? I was flustered because this was a side of me I had never once shown Shinwoo.

As if sensing something was off with me, Shinwoo cupped my cheeks and tilted my face up, scrutinizing it. From a distance so close our noses could brush.

Ah, my heart feels like it’s going to explode.

“You’re burning up.”

Shinwoo’s fragrant breath touched my cheek. That alone was enough to make me fidgety. My heart was pounding so hard my ears were ringing.

After observing me quietly, Shinwoo spoke in a low voice.

“You know, I’m having a crazy thought right now.”

“What thought…”

“That you might actually…”

“…”

“Is it true?”

“…”

“Answer me. Tell me if I’m going crazy and imagining things, or if my wish has really come true.”

His desperate-sounding voice made my head sink even lower. My mouth, which worked just fine in front of others, felt glued shut.

I had planned to confess properly after we successfully cleared the dungeon. The plan was to take him to an elegant restaurant, and after a delicious meal, I’d present him with a bouquet and a ring while reciting the lines I had memorized.

I don’t know what he sensed from my silence, but Shinwoo suddenly pulled me into a fierce hug. The force of his arms tightening around my back and waist took my breath away.

I buried my face in his broad chest and listened. Thump, thump, thump—Shinwoo’s heart was beating erratically.

Shinwoo whispered in a slightly cracked voice.

“The back of your neck is all red.”

…I shouldn’t have cut my hair.

I pushed Shinwoo away without thinking. I wanted to put some distance between us, but he wouldn’t let go.

Ugh! When did he get so strong?

‘It makes my heart flutter…’

Having no choice, I relaxed. A silly laugh kept escaping me. Far from being nervous about entering the dungeon, I felt incredibly soft.

For no reason, I started fiddling with the hem of Shinwoo’s clothes before stealthily tracing the line of his prominent collarbone.

The bone felt like an iron rod, covered by smooth skin. My fingertips felt like they were melting.

“Hah…”

Shinwoo let out a heavy sigh. His chest heaved, and a thick blue vein bulged on his strong neck.

Was I making him uncomfortable? I wondered, lifting my head, only to find Shinwoo looking down at me with eyes that had turned pitch black.

I was completely captivated by his gaze. Why did I get the feeling that Shinwoo was about to kiss me?

But Shinwoo didn’t kiss me. Instead, he wound a lock of my short hair around his finger and pressed his lips to it.

How sensual that gesture was. My mouth started to water.

“You cut your hair.”

“…”

“It’s pretty.”

I never knew Shinwoo had this side to him. What should I do? I like it so much.

I grew even more embarrassed. My first-ever romance was a poisonous flower—gorgeous and fragrant, but it made me lose my senses.

‘This isn’t the time for this… But Shinwoo smells so good. Is he wearing cologne?’

I inhaled until my chest ached, filling myself with Shinwoo’s scent.

Why did I foolishly wander for years, not even knowing my own heart? I could almost cry from the regret of that wasted time.

And Shinwoo was so lovely. I was grateful that he had endured all this time, holding onto his unrequited feelings all by himself.

The two of us clung to each other as if we were one body, our hands exploring idly.

Even so, our touches were limited to hair, fingers, and the nape of the neck, but that alone was enough.

I felt like I could die in this moment and be happy. I could stay like this forever.

“*Ahem! Hem!*”

Someone clearing their throat snapped my dazed mind back to reality.

The surroundings were silent.

The party members were staring at us, all with their mouths hanging open.

I didn’t care. I didn’t pull away from Shinwoo’s embrace, and he didn’t let me go. In fact, he tightened his arm around my waist, as if afraid I might push him away.

“It seems the siblings were happy to see each other after so long. If you’re done with your greetings, shall we depart?”

I nodded at Cha Dohwan’s question, and he slammed his fist down on the number pad. Then, a suppressed voice escaped from between his tightly clenched lips.

“Floor 114, let’s move out.”